Jupiter is the largest planet and a gas giant of hydrogen and helium. Its strong gravity sculpts the outer Solar System, and its magnetosphere and storms (notably the Great Red Spot) dominate its appearance. It hosts many moons, several with astrobiological interest. Jupiter is approximately 139,822 km across.
How to observe Jupiter
Jupiter is best observed near opposition or greatest elongation as appropriate; steady seeing and repeated short observations reveal more than excessive magnification.
Scientific context
Useful scale comparisons are 10.973 Earth diameters, 2.528 g surface gravity, 11.862 Earth years per orbit. These values are rounded from the catalogue measurements shown on this page.
- Radius
- 69,911 km
- Diameter
- 139,822 km
- Mass
- 1.898E+27 kg
- Mean density
- 1.326 g/cm³
- Surface gravity
- 24.79 m/s² (2.528 g)
- Mean temperature
- -110°C
- Orbital period
- 4,332.59 days (11.862 years)
- Semi-major axis
- 5.2 AU
- Mean sunlight travel time
- 43.25 minutes
Source: NASA Science (checked 2026-08-09). Values are rounded catalogue measurements.
